There is NO donation to GFR for each volunteer on this trip. 

Volunteers are responsible for purchasing their international airfare and covering the cost of their food, hotel, and minimal transportation.  

About the trip: Join Global First Responder as we again partner with Hope4 and return for the 5th time to Chisinau, Moldova to provide primary care for Ukrainian Refugees and Moldovans unable to access care.  Moldova is Europe’s poorest country, and providing care here means the world to our patients as well as to displaced Ukrainians.

Our partner, Hope4, is a large humanitarian organization based in the UK and Moldova, whose mission is to stop human trafficking and reduce the effects of poverty, crime, and conflict to people in England, Moldova, Ukraine, and Romania. Hope4 focuses on decreasing poverty, stopping human trafficking, and providing children with the extra activities they need to thrive (such as sports and supplemental education. Our partnership allows them to bring medical care and needed medications to local communities and Ukrainian refugees, allowing parents to work and children to attend school uninterrupted by illness.

This one week trip will focus on primary care for families, the elderly, and orphanage/special needs children. You will work in Chisinau and the surrounding small towns with a small team, caring for approximately 50-75 patients per day.  During clinic you will treat common illnesses with antibiotics and other acute medications, provide refills on medications that patients are stable on for 1-2  months, and provide over-the-counter medications for 1-2 months of use.  Your translators are outstanding and will expertly translate your discussions with your patients.  They will also write out and educate your patients on how to take their medications properly, safe storage of medications, and how to obtain follow-up if needed.

Sustainability: With your help, GFR provides meaningful health education to all patients.  As an example, in 2022 in Senegal we focused on education on puberty and cleaner living spaces for the 750+ street children we cared for.  GFR also provides critical infrastructure in the communities where we work, including building or retrofitting schools and medical clinics and permanent water treatment facilities.

In Moldova, we will be working behind the scenes to ensure that needed medications are available at no cost for the immediate future and partnering with to continue Hope4’s efforts in to reduce danger and improve health in displaced persons.  As the current political situation stabilizes, we will begin more permanent projects.

Arrivals and Departures: Your trip officially starts on Monday, October 16 and will end on Friday, October 20.   We encourage you to arrive no later than Sunday, October 15 and depart on Saturday, October 21 (or stay longer to see this beautiful country and other parts of eastern Europe!).  Your team will decide on a reasonable hotel and meals other than lunch are on your own.

Please see the “After the trip” section for some ideas if you wish to extend your trip.

What’s Included: THERE IS NO PAYMENT DUE TO GFR FOR THIS PROJECT.  GFR will provide supplies and medicine and additional funds for humanitarian efforts in partnership with the needs of the community. Transportation from your hotel to clinic and back is included at no cost to you.  Additionally, lunch will provided in most clinics.

What’s Not Included: Your international airfare, pre/post trip travel costs and expenses, hotel, food, and local transportation to and from the airport or sightseeing.  Trip insurance is not included.

Cost: THERE IS NO DIRECT FEE TO GFR FOR THIS TRIP.  The exact cost of the trip will be determined by the hotel and restaurants you choose. Nice and safe inexpensive hotels and restaurants are easily available in the city center and your group will determine, with GFR’s help, what hotel is most suitable for your group.

You are responsible for purchasing airfare that meets the required arrival and departure times.  We always suggest giving yourself extra time for delayed or cancelled flights and that you purchase trip insurance from a reputable carrier.  This trip is tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.  You will need to save your receipts and deduct your expenses when you do your taxes for 2024.

If you wish to provide a donation to GFR for additional supplies, this donation will be tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law and you or your donors may donate directly through the team link for the trip.

How is your cost calculated?: At Global First Responder we strive to keep your costs low and our quality high.   We value your participation and willingness to volunteer your time and expertise. Everyone at Global First Responder is also a volunteer, donating their time to administrative tasks and paying their own way to participate in medical and construction missions around the world and here at home.  The fee you pay covers the actual cost of your expenses in country including lodging, transportation, meals, and translator fees and expenses.  HOWEVER, on this trip, you are responsible for paying these expenses and GFR does not require any payment.  At GFR, no one is paid a salary and everyone is a passionate volunteer, doing our part to help drive our mission of “One Global World, One Global Family”.

After the trip: The region is at your fingertips!  The train is a very easy way to get around and flights to the major capitals around Moldova are inexpensive.  Consider an additional trip to some of the jewels of eastern Europe – Bulgaria, Slovenia, Romania, or Greece!

Click here to apply for this trip: I WANT TO JOIN GFR in CHISINAU, MOLDOVA 

If this is your first time applying in our new application system, please create a login and password.  You may use this login and password for all future trips you apply for (and we hope to see you on LOTS of GFR trips!!)

SAMPLE ITINERARY

This is a sample itinerary to show you how your time will be spent in Moldova.  As always, you need to be flexible!

(Pre-Trip)  Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024:  Arrive in Chisinau.   Take a taxi to your hotel and make contact with your team.   Today is a great day for you to get organized and rest up for a week of work.  GFR already has supplies and medications in Moldova, staged for your arrival.  Your team will decide where you all want to stay for the week.  We recommend choosing the same hotel to avoid traffic delays when you are picked up and dropped off.

Monday, Feb. 5, 2024 – Friday, Feb. 9:  Clinic.   On Monday morning, you will take provided transportation to the Hope4 warehouse for orientation and preparation. A small afternoon clinic will help you prepare for the week.    You will have clinics and home visits for the following 4 days.   Transportation to and from your hotel and to clinics is provided for you.  Breakfast and Dinner are on your own.  Some lunches will be provided.

Saturday, Feb 10, 2024: Departures or continuing your trip!